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(No Model.)

J. G. RODGERS & A. W. GRANT. 'VEHIOLE WHEEL.

No. 468,538. Patented Feb. 9,1892.

STATES PATENT Eric.

JAMES G. RODGERS AND ARTHUR IV. GRANT, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, -ASSIGNORSTO THE TRICYCLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF

SAME PLACE.

VEH lC LE-Wi-l EEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,538, dated February9, 1892. Application filed August 24, 1891. Serial No. 403,552. (Nomodel) To all whom it may concern:

, Be it known that we, JAMES G. RODGERS and ARTHUR W. GRANT, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVehicle-Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in vehicle-Wheels; and the objectof our invention is to provide a cheap and simple vehicle- Wheel of thesuspension-type, adapted for use with children or doll carriages andsimilar purposes. 1'

Our inventionconsists in the constructions and combinations of partshereinafter described, aud set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is an elevation of a wheelembodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the hubbands or caps, showing the manner of attaching the spokesthereto. Fig. 3is a perspective view of the band or cap in detail. 1Fig. 4 is a partialsection view of the wheel- Like parts are indicated by similar lettersof reference in the several views.

In the said drawings, a represents the tire, which is preferably formedof an endless band of metal.

I) is the hub, the central portion Z) of which is formed of wood cappedover at the ends with metallic bands b 0 is the spokes, which unite thehub and rim in the following manner.

The bands or caps b are providedwith lateral projecting flanges 6adapted to fit on the end of the wooden hub 72, which is turned down orrecessed and shouldered to receive said bands, so that the outerperiphery thereof stands flush with the outer periphery of the woodenhub, as shown in Fig. 4-. The main portion 1)? of the cap or band isprovided with a central opening 12 which forms a continuation of theaxle bearing or opening b through the hub. This band or cap b isprovided with a series of openings 1) in its outer periphery, throughwhich the spokes are looped, as shown in Fig. 2, said spokes beingformed of a U-shaped piece of wire or metal, the extremities of whichare passed through two adjacent openings b so that each wire or metallicpiece forms two spokes, which are united at their outer extremities tothe metallic rim by riveting or in any other well-known and suitablemanner. The caps are so placed on the ends of the respective hubs thatthe spokeopenings b in the respective caps are staggeredthat is, eachopening in one band stands opposite the space between the openings in.the other band or cap, so that the spokes from each band or cap areconnected to the outer rim or tire between the respective spokes of theother band or cap.

To provide for readily inserting the spokes we preferably form theopenings 11 at the angle or corner between the flange b and the body 72of said band or cap, so that part of the opening is in the body and partin the outer peripheral flange. 1 preferably provide about the centralopening b in said band or cap an inner projecting rim or flange 5adapted to rest against the end of the hub proper, and thus form achamber 19 between the end of the hub and the body of the cap, withinwhich the U-sh'aped portion of the spoke is incl'osed.

The outer ends of the spokes are united to the tire or rim in the sameplane, the spokes being bent inwardly from the opposite ends of the hubfor this purpose. The loop between each of the two spokes is thusbrought firmly against the body 12 of the band on one side and thespokes against the opposite side of the openings 19 thus clamping saidspokes firmly in said band.

It will be seen that as thus described a simple and cheaply-constructedwheel is secured which answers all the purposes of the more expensivewheels in the cheaper class of vehicles of the kind specified.

It may be desirable in some cases to insert in the wooden hub a metallicbush or sleeve, this construction being especially desirable when thewheel is intended to be used with metallic spindles or axles.

Having thus described our invention, we claim 1. In a wheel, thecombination, with a wooden hub, of metallic caps fittedzon the re=- 10ospective ends of said hub and provided with a central opening in linewith the axis of said hub, projecting peripheral flanges which fit Overthe ends of said hub, openings in said flanges, a projecting boss orsleeve about the central opening adapted to contact with the end of saidhub, so as to form a chamber at the end of each hub within said cap, andspokes uniting said caps to the wheel-rim, substantially as specified.

2. In a vehicle-wheel, a hub formed with a wooden core and metallic capsfitted over each end of said core, each of said caps being provided witha central opening", and a surrounding sleeve or boss adapted to contact15 with the end of said core when the cap is in its normal position onsaid core, and peripheral openings at the ends of said caps throughwhich the spokes may be looped, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 7th day ofAugust, A. D. 1891.

JAMES G. RODGERS. ARTHUR V. GRANT.

Witnesses PAUL. A. STALEY, FRANK WATT.

